AP Lead

Portfolio Business : Corporate

J.M. Huber Corporation is one of the largest privately held, family-owned companies in the United States. Established in 1883, we are a diversified, global supplier of specialty and commodity chemicals, hydrocolloid solutions, engineered wood products and natural resources to customers spanning a wide variety of industries. With approximately $3 billion in sales and 4,000 employees worldwide, we have a material presence in more than 20 countries.

Position Summary

Responsible for leadership in Full-Cycle Accounts Payable (AP) processing including examining, verifying, and reconciling transactions/statements to process payments timely. Manage the day-to-day responsibilities and activities of direct reports and support the Senior Manager. Manage vendor master and payment activities as established in defined processes and controls. Ensure that all established controls are adhered to and evaluate processes and procedures to identify any additional required controls. Maintain Accounts Payable procedures, review them annually for updates, and recommend necessary changes. Maintain a customer service focused mindset and be hands on with tasks/trouble shooting. Support continuous improvement projects for Accounts Payable and other projects, as needed.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage Accounts Payable utilizing Basware and Oracle for domestic JM Huber Corporation, Huber Engineered Materials, and Huber Engineered Woods.
• Manage a team of at least 6 direct reports.
• Supervise Accounts Payable process to ensure agreed service level agreements (SLA) are met to include vendor master, invoice and payment processing.
• Maintain Accounts Payable, year-end, and payment cycle files in SharePoint.
• Create weekly/quarterly metrics reports and assist in oversight of SLA’s.
• Answers questions and trouble-shoots issues of the AP staff.
• Ensure all established controls are met and evaluate processes and procedures for any additional required controls.
• Implement and maintain systems, procedures, and policies, including accounts payable functions to ensure adherence to company standards. Suggest improvements to process and procedures as identified.
• Maintain Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) documents. Create SOP’s as new procedures arise. Review and update annually.
• Communicate with sectors to resolve any issues identified, using a customer service mindset.
• Ensure discounts are taken and payments of vendor invoices are timely for weekly payment runs. Find or suggest new discounts that can be taken.
• Research, resolve and communicate discrepancies or outstanding balances on vendor accounts, including telephone, mail, or email correspondence.
• Ensure weekly review of each sectors Aging Reports and resolution of discrepancies prior to weekly payment runs.
• Back-up and support AP Analysts, AP Payment Specialist and AP Vendor Master Specialist.
• Assist AP Analysts in reconciling monthly statements when needed.
• Support Accounts Payable projects and continuous improvement tasks/efforts, as well as other related assignments and responsibilities.
• Manage monthly closing of Accounts Payable records.
• Work closely with Corporate Accounting on AP accruals and month end duties.
• Perform 1099 processing, reporting, mailing, and IRS reporting. Answer questions and requests that may follow.
• Maintain Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) documents.
• Assist with Escheatment process as needed.
• Perform all other related duties and assignments as required.

Specialized/Technical Knowledge or Required Skills

Experience:

• 5+ years’ experience or equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
• 3+ years’ experience managing a staff of five plus (5+) in the areas of vendor master, invoice processing, domestic and foreign payment processing, and subledger accounting. Follows assigns tasks of staff and ensures they are completed.
• SAP and Oracle experience
• AP Automation software experience required; Basware Software experience is a plus.
• Must pay attention to detail, in a high volume and fast paced environment.
• A thorough understanding of a two and three-way matching system.

Knowledge/Abilities:

• Strong communication skills, including an understanding of audience, right level of detail, and customer services minded, and ensuring information is passed down to the team.
• Supports AP Analysts by coaching, or training on processes, guiding where corrections are needed.
• Willingness to be hands on when required or delegate when needed.
• Strong organizational, analytical and account reconciliation skills.
• Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Office, Internet savvy and 10-key proficiency. Excel fluency in data mining, pivot-tables, report building.
• Handles confidential information in a discreet, professional manner.
• Works with vendors and employees at all levels of the organization promptly and professionally.
• Gathers facts, analyzes problems in depth and breaks down into components.
• Maintains established controls required by each sector, raise awareness of risks identified.
• Exercises good judgment; makes decisions in logical and rational manner; demonstrates “common sense", is practical and stays cool under pressure.
• Organized with a strong sense of priority and commitment to deadlines.
• Maintains a customer service mindset; drives to accomplish objectives; influences others by instilling excitement and a sense of urgency; is proactive and demonstrates willingness to “roll up the sleeves" as necessary; assertive, but not abrasive.
• High integrity and strong work ethic.
• Ability to multitask, adapt to and operate in a fast-paced, changing environment with a commitment to deadlines.
• Be creative, contributes to new processes, policies, generates new approaches to problems and better ways of work.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or closely related field.

Our employees are our strongest asset, and their safety, health, and well-being is our highest priority. We respect the individual by providing opportunities for professional and personal development. Our Principles drive us to create an inclusive workplace where employees share core values, show dignity and respect toward others, and work hard to achieve their best performance.

J.M. Huber Corporation is an EEO employer. Pre-employment drug screening is required